Are you smiling?

Are you smiling?
I'm smiling as I look at the people I pass. I got questioning looks and some people hurried right on by like something was very wrong. A brave soul stopped me. "What makes you smile so big" she asked with a frown on her face. "I smile because I'm different or unique as I like to think" I said. I felt my smile begin to grow just at the thought. This dear lady looked a little confused. "What troubles you" I asked as I watched her puzzled face. "Being different is not something to be so proud of" she said next to tears. "I disagree dear friend. Unique is great when you realized God took such care to make us that way. That tells me we are all very special to Him" I said as I looked into her troubled eyes. "Even me?" she asked. "Even you dear friend" I said with great confidence. She stood not speaking a word. I could tell that something quickly popped into her mind. She was lost in thought for a few minutes as I waited. Tears began to stream down her face. "I had been told that in Sunday School as a child…... I guess I had forgotten….. I have been busy trying to do good things…… and I lost sight of the fact that God loves me for who I am. Thank you for such a great reminder." she said with great brokenness of speak. I smiled at her and said "You're welcomed". As she turned to walk away I saw a big smile creeping across her now shining face. I am sure she will be stopped as I was, I thought as I began walking again with an even bigger smile than before. The next time you see someone smiling remember it might just be because they know how special they are. But you never know about some of us we also might be up to something. Have a happy smiling day.

God does answer pray.

It was my privilege to spend time with a retired missionary when I was in Bible College. She served in India for many years. She told how God took care of her in many life threatening situations. Her stories were also full of marvelous answers to prayers. She shared something I pray I will never forget. It was when she came back to the states to visit churches a number of people started asking her if anything happened on such and such a day because God brought her to their mind for prayers. Up to that point she never thought about writing anything down. When she returned to India she made it a point to keep a journal of those extra special times. Then when she came home she found those dates corresponded with those of the praying people in the states. I began to wonder if that is why people popped into my mind. I started the practice of praying for those individuals that came to my mind, in spite of the fact I didn't know what was going on. I have not really asked anyone to check dates. My prayers might just be short  or it might be one that goes throughout the whole day. As long as they stay on my mind I kept praying. I probably will never know what was going on in their lives and I am fine with that. My responsibility is to pray. "Pray without ceasing." I Thessalonians 5:2. God does the rest. I want to challenge you to pray for those that come to your mind. We never know what hard times another person might be having.

LOVE

Love is a strange thing. There are people that say "I love you" to everyone they talk to. That makes me wonder how do the people they are talking to know the difference between a passing word and them really meaning it with their heart. I had a dear friend that died a few years ago that I had known since I was six (over fifty years), he was like a father to me. He never said he loved me till just three or four years before he died. Did I wonder if he did? Not really. He showed he cared in many different ways. When he told me it was an affirmation of the actions he showed all those years. To me those are heart words. If they are spoken without any action they are just empty words. I don't mean we will always treat the people me love the best, we are only human and will mess up from times to time. God has spoken His love for us from the beginning. He also took a giant step in showing His love to us by sending His son. What an awesome gift of love. Jesus gave His life as a showing of His love as well. God doesn't speak His words in idleness. He shows it in many ways. What He does want is for us to love as He loves. I must ask myself do I love like He loves. I must say not always. But I will keep trying. I think that is the whole key to life is to keep trying to live as God has laid out for us. The words I want you to take away from this is "Love as God loves."

Let Go Of Life's Hurts

When someone hurts me it is sometimes hard to let it go. No one wants to be hurt but it happens to everyone. There are times I hold onto it like it's a good friend. I also know that is not what I should be doing because it keeps eating away at me. I am the only one suffering from such action, the other person has moved on with their life. I need to just let it go. Wow how easy does that sound? I don't always find it that easy. The best thing is to talk to the person and get things settled. When that is not possible, the next best thing for me is to write (go figure). Writing puts things out there where I can see and evaluate them. It might not even be as bad as I thought. The key is to get it released and move on. When I release the hurt I feel lighter inside. I am less grumpy. I even smile easier. What a relief it is to throw the hurt aside and get all with life. How do you deal with hurt? You need to find a release that works for you, then do it. Don't allow the chains of hurt to keep you weighed down, brake them and throw them away. Get your smile back.

Forgive how many times?

"Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" This was the verse on our devotional at work today. I really don't think Jesus was saying to keep a notebook of people that you have forgiven, then on number seventy-seven draw the line and throw them away. I think He is really saying to keep forgiving as He does. I am glad He does not keep count of how many times He forgives. I am afraid I might have reached my seventy-seven times a number of years ago. I know it is not always easy to forgive but it is necessary. Holding onto situations and thinking about it only keeps you worked up the other person most likely has moved on to something else. We all make mistakes, we are human. I guess we should ask ourselves "When I make a mistake do I want to be forgiven?" If the answer is yes, then we should extend that grace to others. Jesus help us to forgive like You.  Have a great day forgiving.

FROM WORTHLESS TO GREAT VALUE

    There is a place called Worthless. I know it exist because I have been there. Matter of fact I have unpacked my suitcase and stayed there a while. I did not find it to be a very cheerful place. I did find it hard to get out of once I was unpacked. I stayed for a very long time. It must have been some kind of valley. I could hear people screaming at me from two sides. On the left side I heard people saying words that repeated my worthlessness. All of which I knew all too well. I even held them close and took them as my own. For the longest time I could not even hear what was being said from the right side. I could see the people but they were not screaming. While walking in this valley I called home I stumbled into a citizen that said she was leaving. I was shocked I didn't know that was possible. She said to listen to those talking on the right side, the ones in that far away city. I wished her good travel as I miserably found my way back home. I became very weary from all the screaming I began to focus hard on that far away city. I could barely hear their words. I was amazed at what I did hear. They were not words I had heard before but they drew me to them. Those people did not scream but spoke in what seemed to be a whisper. It seemed they were speaking to me but I knew it could not be because they said I was valuable. I have never been told that before. I sorrowfully traveled that lonely path back to the place I called home. As I tried to sleep that night I could only think of those relaxing wonderful words I had heard. The hour was very early when I rose from my bed. It was with great determination I faced that day. I decided I would start my journey to that far away city. I pulled out my ear plugs that I had used when I could not stand another word and started on my journey. I did not take time to pack a bag. The feeling of urgency was upon me. I quickly left my house to be greeted by those awful words again. They caused me to slow my pace and wonder should I really do this. I struggled as I took a few more steps but the longer I listened the more insignificant I felt. The feeling of defeat started to creep in. Then I remember my ear plugs I had them in my pocket. I pulled them out and quickly put them to good use. I almost smiled at the quiet they brought. I saw other people struggling along the same road I had chosen. I took out my ear plugs for a moment to talk to one poor soul. It did not take long before I inserted them again to block out the words of defeat I began to hear. I could not allow myself to listen to such words any longer if I was going to reach my destination. I kept an eye on the distant city as I approached a very slippery slope. I took a long, long look and sat down. Tears came to my eyes I was just sure I would never be able to make it up that slope. I fell asleep dreaming how wonderful it would be to reach that city. Then I saw smiling faces assuring me I could finish the journey and conquer the mountain. I woke from my sleep and leaped to my feet to try again. I kept my ear plugs tightly in place not to hear another discouraging word. I kept telling myself I will make it, I will make it. It was such a hard trek but I kept pushing. I have arrived I told myself as I took a step facing that great city. The giant sign to the city read GREAT VALUE. Just the words made me smile. It also read "Do not carry any baggage you will be given all new things." I was glad to read that. I took out my ear plugs as I looked around. A person came quickly to my side. I started to move away when she told me there was no need to fear. Then it started a shower of wonderful words coming from every direction. I could not believe my ears. I knew I would love this place. 
    I have not forgotten those I saw along the slippery slope that had stopped and given up. I know it is hard to hear me but I would like to send you a message. You are valuable. Get up, keep pushing we are cheering for you. It is a ruff climb but I know you can do it. It is worth the struggle. We are waiting for you. Matter of fact there are a lot of people here waiting for you. Greatness is yours to have. KEEP CLIMBING YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Don't Keep Garbage

 

I have garbage in my life from childhood because of what was done to me. They shoveled it in and I could do nothing. I carried it because I had no choice but now I do. The choices I have are let it stink up my life or throw it away. Getting rid of it is not always easy but it can be done. When that smelly stuff gets thrown away what a relief it is. Your whole life starts smelly better and opening the door to others is even easier. Do you have garbage in your life? I would challenge you to throw it away. It might not be easy but I know you can do it. You might think I don't even know what garbage you have or how long you've had it and that is right. But I do know what garbage I had and how long I carried it. If I can do it I know you can. Remember you are not alone we are here to help each other. I believe in you because God made you special just like He did me. Happy tossing.